Get ready for Chelan Hospital’s annual Fun Run with Walk-A-Doc Thursdays

Dr. Ann Diamond will help you prepare for this year’s annual Max Family Fun Run with four Walk-A-Doc events at Riverwalk Park on Thursday mornings at 7:30. Lake Chelan Community Hospital & Clinics (LCCHC) invites all ages to these informal walking activities. They begin Thursday, Aug. 22.

It’s a great chance to get some exercise and ask a family physician questions about healthcare. Meet Diamond at the flagpole at Riverwalk Park. She’ll be wearing red tennis shoes.

Then join Max, mascot ambassador of the hospital’s kids’ wellness program, Saturday, Sept. 14 for the annual free Family Fun Run at Wapato Point. Online registration is now open at LakeChelanHospital.com. Participants can choose between a 2.5 and 5 K, and the first 100 people checked into the event on Sept. 14 will receive a race t-shirt (sizes and quantities limited). The race begins at 9:30 AM. Check in and onsite registration starts at 8:30 AM. Participants are eligible to win prizes after the run, which is funded by the Lake Chelan Health & Wellness Foundation.

The Max program began six years ago. Since then, community outreach has included the annual Fun Run, a Facebook family fitness challenge, Max parking spaces at local grocery stores, and the “Catch You” bike helmet campaign. As part of that campaign, LCCHC ambulance crews stop children wearing bike helmets and give them vouchers for free frozen treats at Green Dot Sub Shop in Chelan or Manson.

The wellness team also partners with local schools to sponsor and support after-school programs like Max Attack Healthy Snacks and family wellness events. Each year, more than 200 children and parents attend Max’s Fit & Fun Night in Manson. Community fitness organizations and businesses, including yoga, dance, cross fit, Zumba, bowling and skiing, set up displays to introduce families to fun ways to stay healthy.

“Max has become the supporter of kids’ health in our community,” said Agustin Benegas, LCCHC wellness coordinator. “The kids know Max encourages them to eat healthy and move more!”

This year, the LCCHC wellness team partnered with Chelan Rotary for a new twist. Any child 18 years and younger can participate for free in the Chelan Chase 5K on Oct. 19, if they wear a Max Fun Run t-shirt (from any year) to the event. They must register on site the day of the event. The Chelan Chase supports the LCCHC’s mammography program

The Max Family Fun Run is a partnership with the Manson High School Cross Country Invitational. On the day of the event, please park at North Shore Bible Church. You are welcome to stay after your race to watch the high school athletes compete. No pets please.